Panama for Everyone

Panama shines as it is unfettered by crowds of tourists. Backpackers to Central America usually go to Guatemala and Costa Rica but these areas are tourist-soaked. Panama is currently a secret that the traveling world has not discovered yet. Overdevelopment that is seen on the 'gringo trail' that swings south to the Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro also plagues Costa Rican beach towns. Refreshingly this overdevelopment is absent in Panama. Panama is off the beaten path for now but you might want to visit soon as it won't stay that way for long.

The Surprising Middle Kingdom of China

Travel certainly broadens the mind. And sometimes it causes one to change one's mind also. Typically, most people get their impression of other countries and cultures from news stories, which invariably create a distorted view of reality. Fortunately, more and more people are travelling these days, which is just as well, because without a broad understanding as to how other people live, we can easily end up with potentially dangerous misunderstandings. Yes, travel opens one's eyes, and often in surprising ways - as I found out.

Imagine living in a place where you weren't compelled to wear seat belts or cycle helmets; where you could walk around in relative peace and safety; where jaywalking is encouraged and the traffic seems to work in the absence of traffic cops and enforced speed limits; where you can eat a substantial meal for a couple of dollars; where you are not hassled when entering the country; where entrepreneurship abounds; where the gap between rich and poor doesn't breed envy but aspiration; where smoking isn't a sin; where every modern convenience exists; where policemen are hard to find; where opportunity is everywhere; and where income tax is virtually non-existent.

I Love Touring Italy - Springtime In the Liguria Region

Little Liguria in northeast Italy is known as the Italian Riviera. Facing the Ligurian Sea its climate starts to warm in the early spring. To avoid crowds plan on a spring visit. You won't regret it. The Yacht Club of the upscale resort of San Remo, population under 60 thousand, lying about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Genoa hosts the International Italian Dragon's Cup in late March. While the entry fee is a paltry 250 Euros (less than 400 dollars per boat), you do have to provide proof of insurance against claims of a minimum of one million Euros. Despite the fact that this race is held in Italy, English is the official language of this Regatta. So maybe I will reconsider and you'll see me there.

Islands of Panama

Panama is one of the few countries in the world with the best geographic locations. It links and gives connection and bond between the North and South American countries. It consists of several islands which are subdivided into smaller islets with some of these islets having no names. Panama has one thousand islands on its Pacific side and six hundred islands on its Caribbean side. Among these six hundred islands along its Caribbean coastline, about two-thirds of these are located east of its capital and most are at the end of the isthmus. Panama's islands have always been a frequent and favorite location for the popular American reality show, "Survivor" and are not surprising why many showed their interest on the island.

Asia Travel Destinations - Tibet, a Land of Enchantment

One of the world's most exotic and mysterious travel destinations, Tibet is the ultimate spot for climbers, trekkers, adventures and those interested in Buddhism. Located in the main part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China's southwest frontier, and covering an area of 463,320 square miles, at an average of elevation of 13,123 feet above seat level, Tibet is known as the Roof of the World for good reason. Isolated from the Indian subcontinent by the Great Himalayan, this fabled land is home to many of the world's highest summits, with over 50 peaks that are more than 22,996 feet above sea level.

Although Tibetan history can be traced back thousands of years, the written history dates back to the 7th century when King Songtsan Gampo, who united Tibet, sent his minister Sambhota to India to study Sanskrit. On his return, Sambhota invented the present Tibetan script based on Sanskrit.